Birthdays

Birthdays are really big events in Russia. However, unlike in North America, it's the birthday person who has to throw the bash, treat everyone to dinner, and bring food, cakes & champagne to the office. We usually have a crowd at home for Rustem's birthday, though he insisted on dining out for his 50th. I would rather not cook & clean on my birthday, so we usually go to a nice restaurant. Flowers for women are de rigueur.